Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why does God love the world (us)? | Genesis | John Reformed | 59254 | ||
Dear Cynic, You Wrote: "IF it is in his nature to love us, as you have rightfully said, Then does he have a choice? IF God can and does CHOSE to love us then why?" From what we have gleaned from the Scriptures regarding the nature of God, I believe we can conclude that He has certain characteristics. Omniscience, omnipresence, eternality, holiness, immutability. He is almighty, He is mercifull, He is Love etc. If God was to act contrary to His nature then He would not be the God of the Bible. God cannot choose to lie for instance. John |
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2 | Why does God love the world (us)? | Genesis | Sir Pent | 59329 | ||
An opposing view .................................... Dear Cynic, I must respectfully disagree with my esteemed colleague. John Reformed comes from a theological perspective that does not believe in “free will”. Therefore, I respect his answer to your question as consistent within his worldview. I on the other hand agree with the theological perspective that does believe in the “free will” of mankind. (Which of these perspectives is correct has been covered extensively in other threads, so please don’t anyone start it up again here). Therefore, assuming that mankind was created with a “free will”, it would only make sense that God who created them had “free will” as well. In addition it is logical that a God, who is “almighty” or “all powerful” would have the ability to do anything. This would include loving or not loving us. I see this as making it even greater that God does love us. If He had to, then it would not seem as awesome as it does to know that He chooses to love me. And then to think that He knows me completely for all that I am and chooses to love me anyway, that is even better still. |
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3 | Why does God love the world (us)? | Genesis | John Reformed | 59338 | ||
Greetings Sir Pent, I believe you posted to me, when you meant to post The Cynic. It seems as I have given you a mistaken impression of the reformed view of "free will". "By free will we mean that man's will is not coerced. We mean that man's will is not forced by some external force greater than himself to do something he does not want to do. We mean that man is free to do what he wants to do within the limits of his ability." (G.I. Williamson) You wrote: "Therefore, assuming that mankind was created with a “free will”, it would only make sense that God who created them had “free will” as well. In addition it is logical that a God, who is “almighty”or “all powerful” would have the ability to do anything." Heb 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. Now, just as the God who created us cannot act contrary to his nature, fallen man cannot act contrary to his. When someone chooses to do A or B, he chooses based on the ultimate desire of his heart. Fallen man is spiritually dead and his heart is wicked. In his heart he has no desire for God. Rom 3:9-13 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." This is why I believe that it was God who had chosen me . If he had not I never would have chosen him because of my rebellious fallen nature. I was free to choose him, but the absence of desire for Him made me unable. God Bless, John |
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